OPT Choir Director Jobs
Choir Director roles on OPT typically fall under music education or performing arts, both recognized specialty occupation fields. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in music, choral conducting, or a related discipline. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension) applies to full-time and part-time roles at schools, universities, and arts organizations.
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Get Access To All JobsDescription
Southern New Hampshire University is a team of innovators. World changers. Individuals who believe in progress with purpose. Since 1932, our people-centered strategy has defined us — and helped us grow a team that now serves over 180,000 learners worldwide.
Our mission to transform lives is made possible by talented people who bring diverse industry experience, backgrounds and skills to the university. And today, we're ready to expand our reach. All we need is you.
This position is based in the following office location:
Manchester, NH
The opportunity
The Adjunct Instructor for SNHU Choir directs and conducts a collegiate choir ensemble while fostering musical growth, collaboration, and artistic expression among students. The instructor will plan and lead weekly rehearsals, prepare students for performances, and create a supportive learning environment that develops vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills.
The following course is available to teach:
MUS130: SNHU Choir (Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
What you'll do:
- Plan and conduct a weekly 2-hour choir rehearsal.
- Teach and reinforce proper vocal techniques, musicianship, sight-reading, and ensemble performance skills.
- Select and prepare appropriate choral repertoire that aligns with course and program learning outcomes.
- Lead sectional and full-ensemble rehearsals designed to improve vocal performance and choral artistry.
- Recruit students and community members to participate in concert choir by promoting the opportunity through campus outreach, student engagement, and collaboration with music faculty and program partners.
- Assess student participation, attendance, preparation, and performance according to established grading criteria.
- Organize and direct one or more public performances or campus events, as appropriate.
- Communicate with students regarding course expectations, rehearsal schedules, and performance requirements.
- Submit grades, attendance records, and other required documentation observing university policies.
- Follow university policies, academic standards, and student support practices.
What we're looking for:
- Master's degree in Music, Choral Conducting, Music Education, Vocal Performance, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience conducting choirs or vocal ensembles.
- Strong knowledge of vocal pedagogy, choral literature, and rehearsal techniques.
- Ability to work effectively with students from diverse academic and musical backgrounds.
The compensation range listed below is our pay for our standard adjunct positions. Due to the nature of this particular role the pay will be $3,000 per course. The actual offer will be based on experience, skills, degree, discipline, and other business and organizational needs.
LI-Onsite
We believe real innovation comes from inclusion - where different experiences, perspectives and talents are celebrated. So if you're wondering whether SNHU is right for you, take the leap and apply. You might be just the person we're looking for.
Compensation
The standard compensation for courses is $2,800 - $3,400 per 16-week undergraduate or graduate course. Actual pay is determined at the time of course assignment based on discipline.
Description
Southern New Hampshire University is a team of innovators. World changers. Individuals who believe in progress with purpose. Since 1932, our people-centered strategy has defined us — and helped us grow a team that now serves over 180,000 learners worldwide.
Our mission to transform lives is made possible by talented people who bring diverse industry experience, backgrounds and skills to the university. And today, we're ready to expand our reach. All we need is you.
This position is based in the following office location:
Manchester, NH
The opportunity
The Adjunct Instructor for SNHU Choir directs and conducts a collegiate choir ensemble while fostering musical growth, collaboration, and artistic expression among students. The instructor will plan and lead weekly rehearsals, prepare students for performances, and create a supportive learning environment that develops vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills.
The following course is available to teach:
MUS130: SNHU Choir (Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
What you'll do:
- Plan and conduct a weekly 2-hour choir rehearsal.
- Teach and reinforce proper vocal techniques, musicianship, sight-reading, and ensemble performance skills.
- Select and prepare appropriate choral repertoire that aligns with course and program learning outcomes.
- Lead sectional and full-ensemble rehearsals designed to improve vocal performance and choral artistry.
- Recruit students and community members to participate in concert choir by promoting the opportunity through campus outreach, student engagement, and collaboration with music faculty and program partners.
- Assess student participation, attendance, preparation, and performance according to established grading criteria.
- Organize and direct one or more public performances or campus events, as appropriate.
- Communicate with students regarding course expectations, rehearsal schedules, and performance requirements.
- Submit grades, attendance records, and other required documentation observing university policies.
- Follow university policies, academic standards, and student support practices.
What we're looking for:
- Master's degree in Music, Choral Conducting, Music Education, Vocal Performance, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience conducting choirs or vocal ensembles.
- Strong knowledge of vocal pedagogy, choral literature, and rehearsal techniques.
- Ability to work effectively with students from diverse academic and musical backgrounds.
The compensation range listed below is our pay for our standard adjunct positions. Due to the nature of this particular role the pay will be $3,000 per course. The actual offer will be based on experience, skills, degree, discipline, and other business and organizational needs.
LI-Onsite
We believe real innovation comes from inclusion - where different experiences, perspectives and talents are celebrated. So if you're wondering whether SNHU is right for you, take the leap and apply. You might be just the person we're looking for.
Compensation
The standard compensation for courses is $2,800 - $3,400 per 16-week undergraduate or graduate course. Actual pay is determined at the time of course assignment based on discipline.
See all OPT Choir Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Choir Director
Target employers with visa sponsorship history
Universities, conservatories, and large performing arts organizations are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visa or O-1 visas than small community choirs. Focus your search on institutional employers with dedicated HR departments and prior international hiring experience.
Frame your role as a specialty occupation
Choir Director positions qualify as specialty occupations when a degree in music, choral conducting, or music education is explicitly required. Make sure job descriptions you apply to state a degree requirement clearly, not just as preferred, to strengthen future visa eligibility.
Document your OPT authorization before starting
Confirm your EAD card arrives and your OPT start date is active before your first day of work. Starting employment even one day before your authorized period begins is an unauthorized work violation that can jeopardize your immigration status permanently.
Use your degree field to demonstrate direct relevance
Employers and future visa sponsors need to see a clear connection between your degree and the Choir Director role. Highlight coursework in choral conducting, music education pedagogy, and ensemble leadership on your resume and in your cover letter explicitly.
Start H-1B conversations with employers early
The H-1B lottery registration opens in March each year, with an October 1 start date. If you want H-1B sponsorship, your employer needs to know at least six months before your OPT expires so they have time to prepare and file.
Consider O-1B as an alternative to H-1B
Experienced Choir Directors with performance credits, awards, critical reviews, or documented leadership of distinguished ensembles may qualify for the O-1B visa for extraordinary ability in the arts, which has no lottery and no annual cap.
Choir Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Choir Director jobs qualify as specialty occupations for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. Choir Director roles qualify as specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in music, choral conducting, or music education. Positions at universities, K-12 schools, and conservatories typically meet this standard. Roles that list a degree as preferred rather than required can create problems for future H-1B petitions, so scrutinize job descriptions carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Choir Director part-time on OPT?
Yes, part-time work is permitted during the pre-completion OPT period. During post-completion OPT, USCIS requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. Many Choir Director positions, particularly at schools and community arts organizations, are structured as part-time roles, so tracking your hours carefully each week is important to stay compliant.
Do freelance or contract Choir Director gigs count as valid OPT employment?
Yes, self-employment and contract work are allowed on OPT, provided the work is directly related to your degree field. If you're leading choral groups as an independent contractor, keep detailed records of each engagement, the organization, dates, and hours worked. Your DSO will need this information for your SEVP portal updates, and gaps or vague records can complicate future immigration filings.
Where can I find Choir Director jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for Choir Director roles. It surfaces positions from employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates, saving you the time of filtering through postings where your work authorization status would be an immediate disqualifier. Searching by role and authorization type on Migrate Mate narrows your results to realistic opportunities.
What happens to my OPT if my Choir Director position ends mid-authorization period?
You have a 60-day unemployment buffer during post-completion OPT to find a new position. Unemployment time accumulates across all gaps, not just one. If you exceed 60 days without authorized employment in a role related to your degree, your OPT authorization is considered violated and you lose F-1 status. Notify your DSO immediately when a position ends and begin your next job search right away.